And you thought it was over! No, not quite; we've still got an actual wedding to get to! Anyway, thank you again for those who have been faithful readers, and it doesn't hurt to keep reviewing! :)

Chapter 18

The new year came full of hopes, dreams, and plans. The young couple was keeping quiet about their engagement, wanting it to be as private as possible. Unfortunately, while Williamsburg was a good-sized city, it was in many ways entirely too small. A few days after New Years, Felicity was helping out in the store when Elizabeth burst in, her cheeks red and eyes sparkling as if she had been running. Felicity smiled and stepped down from the ladder to greet her, but had barely said "hello" before Elizabeth grabbed her hands and whispered excitedly, "Where is this handsome fiancé of yours?" Felicity frowned. "My what?" she asked nervously. Elizabeth laughed. "Oh Lissie," she said. "Don't play dumb. I know." Felicity looked around, then pulled Elizabeth into the storeroom. "How did you find out?" she hissed, closing the door behind them.

"'Twas in a roundabout way," said Elizabeth. "You see, Polly told Emily Fitchett at Miss Manderly's. You know, the Fitchetts' great-niece? Well, Emily told her father, who told Mrs. Fitchett, who told Caleb when she was in the shop the other day, who told me." Felicity closed her eyes and groaned. "Personally," Elizabeth went on. "I would have hoped to find out a bit more directly. After all, I always kept you up to date about Caleb and me." Felicity opened her eyes. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth," she said. "I'm not trying to keep secrets from you nor anyone else. We just wanted to keep the news to ourselves for a bit."

"Well, tis too late for that," said Elizabeth. "If Mrs. Fitchett knows, then the whole town knows." Felicity groaned again. "I had no idea I was so popular," she said. "And remind me to have a word with Polly when I get home."

"Everybody loves a wedding," said Elizabeth. "Besides, these people have known you your whole life and are happy for you. As am I! Oh Lissie, I can't believe it! The shyest man in the world really asked you to marry him!" Felicity smiled a little. "I wouldn't call him that," she said. "But I can hardly believe it myself." Elizabeth then grabbed her hand and gasped. "He even gave you a ring?" she asked. Felicity nodded. "It was his great-grandmother's," she explained, looking down at it. "It's pretty, isn't it?"

"It's beautiful," agreed Elizabeth. Then she grinned. "And you said that nothing would ever happen between you two!" Felicity grinned back. "I honestly didn't think it would!" she said. "Even though I think I secretly wanted it to. And maybe he did too, to some extent."

"He must have," said Elizabeth. "You see? I told you everyone could see it but you two!"

"I know, I know," said Felicity. "I admit, you were right."

"As always," said Elizabeth jokingly. Then she asked eagerly, "So? How did it happen? Tell me everything!"

"Well, I don't think there's much to tell," said Felicity. "It was on Christmas Eve right after church and-"

"Christmas Eve!" swooned Elizabeth. "How romantic!"

"Trust me," said Felicity. "I don't think he planned it. Anyway, I took his laundry up to him that night, and we talked for a while, and…well, one thing led to another, and…"

"Did he get down on his knee?" asked Elizabeth.

"No," Felicity laughed. "No, he didn't get down on his knee. At one point he just hugged me and…asked me, I guess. He just whispered it in my ear."

"And how did you reply?" pressed Elizabeth. Felicity laughed again. "My goodness, Elizabeth," she said. "Why the intense curiosity?" Elizabeth frowned. "Felicity Merriman," she said. "The man asked you to marry him, for goodness sake! Of course I'm going to be curious!"

"Fine," said Felicity. "I just said yes. Just like that."

"Just yes?"

"Just yes."

"You didn't squeal and throw your arms around him?"

"No."

"You didn't cry?"

"No."

"You didn't kiss him?"

"He kissed me."

"You didn't even hesitate?"

"No."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I can't understand how you are so level-headed about this," she said. "You're usually, and I love you when I say this, the passionate, irrational one. And yet when you make one of the biggest decisions of your life, you are so calm!"

"I guess I'm serious about serious things," said Felicity. "Don't get me wrong, Elizabeth, I'm happier than I have been in a long time. I'm just trying not to overdo it."

"It seems like I am more excited about your wedding than you are," remarked Elizabeth.

"That is because you are expecting and your emotions are all over the place," said Felicity. Elizabeth shrugged. "Probably true," she agreed. Then she smiled. "Well, regardless, I'm happier than I can say for both you and Ben. Have you thought about when the wedding will be?"

"Not yet," said Felicity. "I'd like it to be sometime in the summer, but there are a lot of if's that go into it. Personally, I'd say as soon as possible, even if that meant tomorrow. But weddings involve a lot of planning."

"You'll certainly have lots of help," said Elizabeth. "Starting with yours truly, if I may." Felicity grinned. "Lizzy," she said. "You've been my maid of honor since we were about twelve. Of course you may; I'll need all the help I can get." Then she laughed a little. "Isn't it funny," she said. "How by now, it seems all of Williamsburg knows, and his own parents do not?"

"They don't?" asked Elizabeth, then she said, "Well, knowing Ben, I hardly think he wrote to them telling them the news as soon as it happened."

"Probably not," Felicity agreed. Then she sighed. "That will be awkward meeting them, which I hope will be before the wedding. Imagine: 'Good afternoon Mr. Davidson, Mrs. Davidson. You don't know me, but just to let you know, I will be your daughter-in-law in a few months." Elizabeth nodded. "Yes," she agreed. "You might want to talk to him about that." Felicity sighed again and smiled. "My goodness," she said. "I'll be a daughter-in-law."

"Not only a daughter-in-law," said Elizabeth. "But more importantly, a wife! His wife!"

"Hard to believe," said Felicity, toying with the ring on her finger. "I didn't think he would ever get so serious. About anyone." She furrowed her brow, then added, "I don't think he did, either."

"Well, he obviously did about you," said Elizabeth, following her friend as she opened the door and started to go back out into the bustling store. "Which, I think, makes you very special. Many girls would kill for a husband like him. He's tall and brave and noble, not to mention handsome."

"Handsome is as handsome does," said Felicity. Her eyes then settled on him from across the room. "But he is good looking. He always has been."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement.

"But," Felicity went on. "I love him for his soul, not his body."

"Which is the way it should be," Elizabeth agreed. "Absolutely." Felicity nodded. Then Elizabeth said, "Well, let me give him my congratulations, and then I should be getting home. I've got a pile of mending that I have been putting off for entirely too long."

"Not to mention baby clothes to start making," said Felicity with a grin. "August will be here before we know it."

"And by the time this little one comes," said Elizabeth. "You could be married and even expecting one of your own." Felicity closed her eyes. That was certainly scary to think. "I hope to be married by then," she said. "But I don't want to have a baby so soon. I'd rather wait a year, at least."

"Well, you don't have too much control over that," said Elizabeth in a low voice. "And everyone knows what happens on the wedding night." Felicity nudged her. "Elizabeth," she half-groaned. "Can we not discuss it?" Elizabeth grinned. "Very well," she agreed. "Not until after the fact."

"We'll see," said Felicity, whose cheeks were turning a bright shade of pink. Elizabeth just laughed at her friend's unease.

A couple of weeks rolled by. Everyone in the Merriman household tried to act as if everything was normal, but it was hard to do with an engaged couple in the house. Not that they showed any signs of affection (at least not when anyone was around, and even then, not so much as a kiss on the cheek). Ben was preparing to go back to Yorktown and seemed a bit overwhelmed with all he had to do in the near future. He and Felicity had agreed that for right now, they wouldn't think too much about their impending marriage. They would wait until things were settled in Yorktown, then they could start planning it more. Meanwhile, everyone who knew them and about their engagement (which really hadn't been private for very long) congratulated them heartily. Mrs. Fitchett was especially happy for them. "Well, Miss Felicity," she said at tea one afternoon. "I always did say that you'd have the lads flocking about, and I was right, wasn't I?"

"I wouldn't go that far," said Felicity with a laugh. "I suppose there have been a couple who were interested in me, and a couple who I was interested in, but nothing serious. Until now, at least."

"It was a long time in coming," said Nan, taking a sip of tea. "And everyone could see it but the two of them. Ever since he came home from war…"

"All right, we don't need to launch into some long, boring story," Felicity interrupted.

"It's not boring," said Nan. "Everyone loves a good romantic drama."

"This isn't Romeo and Juliet, Nan," said Felicity. "There really is no romantic drama."

"Which is a good thing," said Mrs. Merriman. "I would worry if there was."

"Of course," agreed Mrs. Fitchett. "But…there wasn't any formal courtship, either, correct?"

Felicity bit her lip. "Well, no ma'am, not exactly," she confessed. "But I think that some things in life have to be spontaneous and have to throw formality to the wind. I don't think formality should really be an issue until the wedding itself."

Nan kicked her under the table, but she didn't care.

"I see," said Mrs. Fitchett slowly and with a possible hint of disapproval, though she said nothing of the sort. "And when will that be, my dear?"

"We haven't thought of it yet," Felicity answered. "Not until some things get settled." Mrs. Fitchett smiled and shook her head. "My lord, really married, Miss Felicity!" she said. "Why, it seems just yesterday you were this high and toddling around your father's store, waving at every patron who came in and swinging your little legs from the counter!"

Mother sighed and smiled. "Time flies, doesn't it?" she said. "It seems like we were just planning her arrival, and now we have to plan her wedding."

"Not yet," said Felicity again, starting to dread wedding planning. "Let's give it a little time yet."

"Well, you don't want to wait too terribly long," said Mrs. Fitchett. "Most girls want to get married immediately, especially ones who are madly in love with their betrothed." Felicity blushed. She didn't like to think of herself and Ben as "madly in love", though secretly, maybe they were. Mrs. Fitchett then smiled. "I remember my Christina wanted to get married as soon as she and Joseph were engaged! She was ready to marry him right there on the spot and probably would have if I had not stepped in and given her a wedding"

"That sounds a bit familiar," said Nan, eyeing her older sister.

Felicity frowned. "I want to be married," she said. "But an actual wedding would be nice, too."

"And an actual wedding you shall have, dear," said Mrs. Merriman. "Whenever it shall be."

"Speaking of which," said Mrs. Fitchett. "Did you hear about the Cooper wedding last month? They spent all that time and money, carrying on as if it were the king and queen of England getting married, and then Josephine backs out at the altar! Can you imagine saying 'no' after all that planning? Just like that?"

"Awful," agreed Mother. "I swear, it seems like too many people only care about the wedding more than the actual marriage itself."

"Marriage means nothing to so many people nowadays!" said Mrs. Fitchett. "Nothing but a big party and in lots of cases, money." She looked at Felicity seriously. "Don't let that be you, Miss Felicity," she said. "Make sure that you are marrying the man because you are truly willing to love him and be faithful to him forever, not just because you get to have a wedding. And make sure he is marrying you for the same reasons."

"I know," said Felicity. "And I trust him."

"Good," said Mrs. Fitchett. "That is a key element that is missing from so many relationships. And really, without trust, what kind of relationship can you have? At least what kind of good one?"

"Indeed," agreed Mrs. Merriman.

"And speaking of trust," continued Mrs. Fitchett. "Did you hear about the Dawsons?" And she went on to gossip about some other couple.

January turned into February, and a week later, Ben's apprenticeship officially ended. The day he left for Yorktown was a bittersweet one. That morning after breakfast, Felicity sat with him in his room as he tossed some last minute things in his trunk. "Oh Ben," she sighed. "That's the end of an era."

"Nearly ten years," he said. "Most are half that long."

"Yours would have been," she said. "Had you not joined the army." He looked up at her and smiled a little. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?" he asked. She smiled back. "No," she said. "I'm not."

"Well then," he said. "I'm just going to have to get used to it, I guess."

"I didn't want you to go," she said. "Probably more than anybody else."

"I know you didn't," he said. "But it's over now. Tis long over." He closed the lid. "But," he went on. "Had I not joined the army and just finished out my apprenticeship like I was supposed to, then I would be about nineteen or so, and you'd be thirteen or fourteen, still a child. I'd leave and go my own way, and we'd probably never see each other again and become just distant memories. But that wasn't the case. You were already a woman when I did come back, and things changed…between us. Fate knows what it's doing, I think."

"I suppose," she said, following him out the door. She sighed when they went down into the stable. "It seems like we're always saying goodbye," she remarked.

"But it's never for forever, is it?" he asked.

"It almost was," she pointed out. He took her hands in his own. "That's over, Felicity," he said. "It's time to move on. I'm fine, you're fine, so let's just forget about that part of our lives, all right?"

"It will always be a part of us," she said quietly. "You more than me, I imagine." He let go of her hands. "Well, maybe," he admitted. "But this isn't that."

"How long until I can come with you?" she asked. He shrugged. "Hard to say," he said. "A couple of months, perhaps?" She smiled a sad smile. "A couple of months," she repeated. "Tis twenty years till then."

"I'll do my best," he promised.

"I've no doubt you will," she said. "But don't feel as though you have to hurry. It doesn't matter when we get married."

"I know," he said. "But I'd much rather it be sooner than later." She nodded. "Much sooner than four years," she said. "And after that…"

"The rest of our lives," he finished, hugging her tightly. She closed her eyes. "And I shall follow thee, my lord, throughout the world," she whispered. He let her go and tenderly kissed her cheek. "Goodbye," he said softly. "God willing we shall be together soon."

"Goodbye," she whispered as he left. She toyed with the ring on her finger. They would be together soon, she knew that. And after that, like he had said, for the rest of their lives. Yet that was little consolation for the certain bittersweetness that settled in her heart. "Stop it, Felicity," she scolded herself. "You're engaged to be married to the man, for goodness sake, and you will see him again soon! Now quit feeling sorry for yourself." And with that, she sighed and went to go do the breakfast dishes.

The house seemed strange without Ben. Though he was always quiet and reserved, it was obvious that a person was missing. Did it feel this strange when he left for war, Felicity wondered? It probably did; she had just forgotten. Everyday she waited for some sort of word from him, which she knew was silly, but she couldn't help it. She missed him. In the meantime, she had other things to think about. Slowly but surely, Elizabeth was getting bigger before their very eyes. "Lissie, you're a dear," she sighed one afternoon as Felicity fixed tea while she sat. "I feel too miserable to do much of anything."

"T'will only get worse, I hear," said Felicity, pouring the tea and sitting next to her friend. "At least the nausea is settling down." Elizabeth nodded. "Let me tell you right now," she said. "Pregnancy is no fun."

"I'll take your word for it," said Felicity. "But everyone says that it's all worth it in the end."

"And I'll take their word for it," said Elizabeth with a smile. Then she sighed again. "Tis trying, though. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, and I won't as a mother. Tis unknown territory, you know? Like walking in a field at night without a lantern. And I don't really have anyone to help."

"You have Caleb," pointed out Felicity.

"Caleb and I are in this together," said Elizabeth. "He doesn't know what he's doing either. I wish- I wish I had my mother here. She would know what to do. I could go to her with anything I needed to know." Felicity was quiet. That was the first time in ages Elizabeth had mentioned anything about her parents. "Do you ever wish you had returned to England with them?" she asked.

"Sometimes," Elizabeth confessed. "But then I look at Caleb, and I honestly wonder how on earth I ever made it without him. I couldn't leave him. I just couldn't." She paused a moment. "It wasn't an easy decision," she continued. "Have you any idea how many nights I lay awake thinking about it and crying about it? I still miss my parents; I always will. But I chose the age-old story, which is not nearly as romantic as it seems. Be glad you didn't have to go through a 'fairy tale romance' because honestly, they are anything but a fairy tale." Felicity was quiet again. Then she said, "And you say I'm the strong one."

"Well, you are," said Elizabeth. "I couldn't worry myself sick over a loved one while he was away fighting in the war without screaming, nor could I watch my sister almost die without going mad all the while in the midst of the throes of my first and only real love."

"And I don't think I could leave my parents for someone I loved," said Felicity. "Or stay behind while they left."

"You are leaving, though," Elizabeth pointed out. "When you get married…whenever that will be."

"Yes, but not like that," said Felicity. "Yorktown is nothing compared to England."

"Speaking of which," said Elizabeth. "Have you thought anymore about when the wedding will be?" Felicity shook her head. "Not yet," she said. "We don't want to make any plans until he's somewhat settled.

"Which will take how long?"

"Who knows? He left a couple of weeks ago, and I'm just waiting to hear from him, which could be a while." Elizabeth nodded. "Well, I hope you do fairly soon," she said. "And like you said, it has already been a few weeks."

"Well, you can't build Rome in a day," said Felicity. "I told him not to hurry. We can wait a bit." Elizabeth smiled. "I still don't see how you're so practical about all of this," she said. "Especially after all you've gone through already with him."

"What do you mean?" Felicity asked.

"You two have had such an up-and-down relationship," said Elizabeth. "You like each other, you hate each other. You agree, you disagree. You pine for each other, then you don't want to see each other's face. Goodness, Lissie, your life would make a great story!"

"My life is dull," said Felicity. "No one in their right mind would want to read about it." Elizabeth laughed. "Right," she said. "Because everyone gets to have a whirlwind, ambiguous romance every day."

"Can we stop calling it that?" Felicity groaned. "Ben and I are engaged to be married, not having a love affair."

"Potato potahto," said Elizabeth. Felicity rolled her eyes. "Not exactly," she said, standing up and gathering her things.

"Well, regardless of what you want to call it," said Elizabeth, walking her friend to the door. "You had better start thinking about that wedding. Otherwise all of those hopes and dreams will remain hopes and dreams, never to become realities. At least not until you're fifty."

"I guess it can't hurt to start," Felicity said. "But I'm not going to make any big decisions without him. Tis his wedding too."

"Do you really think he cares that much?" asked Elizabeth, eyebrows raised. Felicity thought. "No, probably not," she admitted. "I guess the little details are for me to work out. But he should have some say in the important things."

"Naturally," agreed Elizabeth. Then she grinned. "And speaking of the important things, what are you going to wear?"

Felicity phffed. "I don't even know the day it will happen," she said. "Let alone what I'm going to wear."

"You should wear white," said Elizabeth.

"Why white?" asked Felicity.

"Because it symbolizes joy," said Elizabeth. "Nothing is more joyful than a wedding. Then you should have a band of blue at the hem…that stands for purity. And let's be honest, Lissie, you blush furiously whenever your…um…kissing abilities are mentioned." Felicity felt her cheeks grow hot. "Elizabeth!" she exclaimed.

"You see?" said Elizabeth. "Besides, it's a growing trend."

Felicity raised an eyebrow. "What is?" she asked. "Purity, kissing, or wearing white?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Wearing white," she answered.

"But I rarely wear white," said Felicity.

"Exactly," said Elizabeth. "Which is why you should wear it on your wedding day."

"We'll see," said Felicity simply. "Like everything else in this wedding," she added silently.

Towards the end of March, word finally came from Ben. He took a few days off to come to Williamsburg so that he and Felicity could start sorting through some wedding things, though nothing official such as the banns could be made yet since his own parents didn't know about his engagement yet, and since they had to be published in both churches, it was better to wait. Felicity suggested a marriage license, but he shook his head saying that it was "too expensive and too much of a pain to get". So that idea was dropped. Felicity and Mrs. Merriman started the very beginnings of what would become her wedding gown, no more than the pattern and color (Felicity took Elizabeth's idea to heart and went with white). She and Ben very privately confided in the minister, Reverend Ullfers, about their plans, but nothing more than letting him know. Felicity's one wish was to be married in the Bruton Parish church, the church she had been christened and raised in. Ben didn't object. The Reverend agreed immediately to marry them, regardless of the fact that they had nothing sorted out yet. He smiled when they told him and couldn't seem to get over the fact that Felicity, that once spunky, happy little girl, was now a graceful, grown up woman getting married. Neither could anyone else in town, for that matter.

A day or two later, Ben decided to take Felicity to Yorktown for a few days to show her around as well as meet his parents, which seemed to make him as nervous as it did her. Mr. and Mrs. Merriman didn't seem to like the idea at all, but Ben assured them that he would look out for her. While they trusted him, Felicity still suspected that her father had him sign some sort of contract saying that he was responsible for her and that he wouldn't do anything he shouldn't be doing with her. Yet. They had a quiet ride down, both too absorbed in their thoughts (read nerves) to really get beyond small talk. Once in Yorktown, the first thing he did was show her the house. "I'm still fixing it up some," he explained. "But I really haven't had much time to furnish it yet."

"I can help with that," said Felicity. "I think it's lovely."

"Tis a bit small," he said. "But not a bad sized property, you must admit."

"I like it," she said as she walked through it. She smiled when they got to the kitchen. "Ah," she said. "And this will be my domain. That is, if I don't burn it down first." Ben smiled. "I'm putting a lot of faith in you, Lissie," he said. They then went upstairs, which was mostly bedrooms. There were four real ones, then a half one which could function as a guest room. He showed her the main bedroom last. "And I've been sleeping in here," he said. "I know it doesn't have much in it, but…" Felicity inhaled contently. It wasn't a huge room, but it was bigger than her bedchamber back home. There was a window overlooking the yard across the room, which filled the whole room with sunshine. It even had a little window seat. The curtains were a pretty light blue, as was the quilt and bed curtains. Next to the window was a small fireplace and chair, and next to that stood a deep mahogany clothes press. She fingered the quilt on the bed. "I like it in here," she said softly.

"Then it's yours," he said. She looked up at him, a bit surprised. "Not…all mine, is it?" she asked.

"If you want," he said. "There are enough rooms for both of us to have our own." She smiled a little. "What if I don't want my own?" she whispered. "I don't need my space like some women do." Ben rubbed the back of his neck. "Hm," was all he said.

"Unless you do," she said. He looked at her and smiled. "I was hoping you wouldn't," he said softly. "Because I certainly don't."

"Good," she said, standing up in front of him. They looked at the bed a moment, then at each other. Felicity felt a shiver go up her spine. That bed…him… She closed her eyes. Not now. She looked at him again. "We should probably be going," he said softly. She nodded. "Probably," she whispered. She looked around the room…their room…and then followed him out the door.

He showed her the store, which was running surprisingly successfully, and then took her to his parents' house. She felt her hands grow clammy and her heart start to pound as she looked up at the house. It was a nice house, two stories and white with green shutters and a green front door. It was lovely, in her opinion, and she said as much. He just nodded. "House I was born and raised in," he said. He looked at her. "Ready to go in?"

"Just a minute," she said, closing her eyes.

"Are you all right?" he asked. She nodded. "I'm fine," she said. "Just…a little nervous, I guess."

"No need to be."

"That's easy for you to say. You've known your future inlaws for nearly ten years!"

Ben smiled a little. "That's true," he said. "But trust me, I'm sure they will love you."

"I certainly hope so," she said. "By the way, have you told them about...?" Now he looked a bit sheepish. "No," he admitted. "Not yet."

"Benjamin Davidson!" she exclaimed. "How have you been with them nearly a month and a half and not said anything? Why, it would have been the first thing out of my mouth, if I were you!"

"It wasn't on Christmas morning," he pointed out.

"I was waiting for the right time," she said.

"And so am I," he said. She sighed. "So now what?" she asked. "I'm supposed to waltz in there and say, 'Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Davidson. My name is Felicity Merriman, and I will be your daughter-in-law soon'." Ben closed his eyes and raked his hand through his hair. "I will…I'll say…I don't know, just let me handle it, all right?" he said. She rolled her eyes. "That's what the man always says," she muttered. He frowned. "Felicity," he said. "Don't start an argument."

"I'm starting an argument?" she asked.

"Yes," he said before she could say another word. "And I'm ending it now. Now come inside." She opened her mouth to protest, then closed it. It wasn't worth it. Ben opened the door, and she took a deep breath and followed him inside. The foyer was sunny and friendly, which eased her nerves a bit. "It's pretty in here," she remarked quietly. Then a boy came down the stairs. He looked surprised to see Ben. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "I thought you were in Williamsburg."

"Just got back," answered Ben. "And am I not allowed to come home every once in a while? Besides, it's Sunday." The boy shrugged. Then his eyes settled on Felicity. "Who is the girl?" he whispered. Ben looked at Felicity, who had been quietly standing behind him, and brought her forward. "This," he said. "Is Mr. Merriman's oldest daughter, Felicity. Felicity, this is my brother, William." William was good-looking with blond hair and blue eyes, reminding her a little of Caleb. He looked nothing like his brother, though. "It's nice to meet you," said Felicity as she bobbed a polite curtsy, thinking it a coincidence that both of them had a younger brother by the name of "William". William bowed in response. "And you, Miss Merriman," he said. "What…what brings you to Yorktown?" Felicity glance at Ben. "Um…" she said, trying to think.

"Certain circumstances that you don't need to know," said Ben coolly. William raised an eyebrow. "What kind of circumstances?" he asked.

"Ones of which you will find out eventually," said Ben. "Now where's Ma?"

"Within," answered William. "Where should she be?" Ben rolled his eyes. "Where within, may one ask?" he asked. Then a blonde, blue-eyed woman who Felicity assumed was Mrs. Davidson came out of the doorway across the foyer. Her face lit up when she saw her oldest son. "Benjamin!" she said, embracing him tightly. "I thought I heard you out here. Did you just come home?" She had an accent of some sort, though Felicity couldn't place it.

"About an hour or so ago," Ben replied, hugging his mother hello. "How are you?"

"Oh, well enough, I suppose," she answered, letting him go. "How was…whatever you were doing in Williamsburg?"

"Fine," said Ben shortly. Felicity shot him a look, but he ignored it.

"He brought someone," added William.

"I see that," said Mrs. Davidson slowly. Once again, Ben brought Felicity forward. "This is Mr. Merriman's oldest daughter, Felicity," he said. Turning to her, he said, "And this, Felicity, is my mother." Both women curtsied politely. "Ah, this is the infamous Miss Merriman," said Mrs. Davidson kindly. "We have heard much about you over the years."

"I haven't," put in William.

"There's a reason for that," muttered Ben.

"I'm sorry to say that I have not heard much about you," said Felicity. Mrs. Davidson smiled. "My," she said. "From the way he's always described you, I've always pictured you a little girl."

"I suppose I was, until he came home from the war," said Felicity.

"And how old are you now, my dear?" asked Mrs. Davidson. Felicity bit her lip, hoping she wouldn't think her too young to be even associating with her son. "Eighteen," she answered. "I will be nineteen in under a month."

"I see," said Mrs. Davidson. "Well, what brings you here?"

"Circumstances," said William impishly. Ben stepped backwards on his foot. Mrs. Davidson raised her eyebrows. "What kind of circumstances, may I ask?" she asked. Ben sighed. "I'll explain later," he promised. Felicity saw William and Mrs. Davidson share a look. "Well," Mrs. Davidson finally said. "We are certainly glad to have you here, Miss Merriman. I can show you to the guest room, if you like."

"Thank you," said Felicity, following her up the stairs. She looked back down at her betrothed and gave him a look that said, "You'd better tell them soon!" He got the message. "I will," his own look said. "When the time is right."

Felicity soon got settled in. Once alone in her room, she closed the door and lay down on the bed. She felt strange in her own skin. She hoped she had made a good first impression. After all, these people were her future inlaws, though they didn't know it yet. She closed her eyes. She wished Ben would just tell them and get it over with instead of beating around the bush. He was honestly the biggest procrastinator she had ever met. Maybe this was a bad idea. About half an hour later, she heard the front door open and a loud commotion of greeting. She sat up, and a moment later, Ben opened her door a little. "Are you all right up here?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she assured him. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Well, you've been up here a while," he said. "I was just wondering." Then he added, "My sister and niece came home for a surprise visit. My father's home too. I think you should come down." Felicity sighed. "I wish this could have all been done at once," she said.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I'm meeting everyone in spells," she said. "I wish it could have all been at once and we told them all at once."

"Well, I'm sorry," he said. "But these things take time."

"Not a month and a half," she said. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. "I'm not going through the third degree alone," he said. "When I tell them, you're going to be right next to me."

"What do you mean, 'the third degree'?" she asked. "Are you afraid of your own parents?"

"I'm not afraid," he said. "But tis a bit awkward. Look, you yourself never came right out and said it either, so don't start blaming me."

"I'm not blaming you for anything," she said. "I just wish you'd stop procrastinating."

"I'm not procrastinating!" he said hotly. Then he took a deep breath. "Just come downstairs, all right? I'll try to make this as fast as possible."

"Fine," she agreed. "Just give me a minute or two." He nodded and left. Reluctantly, she stood up and splashed cold water on her face. She smoothed her dress and fixed her hair, then sighed at her reflection in the mirror. Ben didn't seem to understand that she was afraid. She was afraid that they wouldn't like her, that they wouldn't accept her as their daughter-in-law. After all, she had just met them. And Ben wasn't helping by keeping everyone in suspense. "Well, there's not much you can do now," she told herself. "So just go down there and get it over with."

Things started to look up at supper. Mr. Davidson was a quiet but seemingly friendly sort of person, who Felicity immediately felt very comfortable around. He inquired about her father and her family and how they were, and she told him they were quite well, thank you. He didn't ask her why she was there, which was a relief. She also met Ben's sister, Faith, who seemed very pleasant. She was especially interested when Felicity mentioned that she had been a governess in France for six months. Then there was Faith's little daughter, Alexandra, who took a particular liking to Felicity. The only one she didn't meet was Faith's husband, John, who had to stay home for work. So far, she seemed to get along well with everybody, and later Ben said that he had never seen his father smile so much in his life before that night. Meanwhile, Felicity waited all throughout the meal for Ben to bring something up about their impending marriage, but he said nothing. And she didn't want to say anything because they weren't her parents.

After supper, Mrs. Davidson and Faith went to clear the table and clean the dishes, and the men, taking Alexandra with them, went into the parlor. Felicity offered to help the women. After all, she figured, it couldn't hurt to show them her good intentions. "Alexandra is a lovely little girl," she complimented Faith as the three (four counting Natalie, the slave) started to clear the table. Faith smiled. "Thank you," she said. "It seems she is growing up far too quickly."

"We blink and the next thing we know, she will be reading!" said Mrs. Davidson.

"How old is she?" asked Felicity.

"Two," replied Faith. "She just turned two in January." Felicity nodded. "That's right," she said. "Ben came back to Williamsburg a few days after she was born." She then smiled. "My goodness, was that only two years ago? It seems an eternity."

"I remember he almost didn't make it," said Faith softly. "To see her born, I mean. That's why I didn't tell him until we were sure he was getting well again. Do you remember that, Mother?"

"Like it was yesterday," agreed Mrs. Davidson. She sighed. "I was so grateful at first just to have him home. But then he was so sick, and I…I barely slept for over a week." Felicity was quiet. She could relate. "That fever?" she asked. "The one he had when he first came home?" Mrs. Davidson looked at her. "Yes," she said. "Why, it nearly killed him. 'Twas to the point where I was so sure every night that I would never see his eyes open again in the morning."

"I'm sorry," said Felicity softly. Mrs. Davidson smiled. "Well, he didn't die, praise be given to The Lord," she said. "It has been two years since all of that."

"And thank God that war is over," added Faith. "Tis torture having someone you love away fighting someone else's problems, not knowing if he is dead or alive."

"I know," said Felicity. "I would breathe a huge sigh of relief any time I would get another one of his letters. By the time the British surrendered and we heard he had been hurt, I was sure he was dead."

"Were you close to him?" asked Faith.

"Very," said Felicity. "And I still am, though in a different way." Both Faith and Mrs. Davidson looked at her funny, but they said nothing. "You have a lovely home, by the way," said Felicity, changing the subject. Mrs. Davidson smiled. "Thank you," she said. "I've always tried to keep it looking nice, even with three children all around the same ages."

"Not William," pointed out Faith. "Ben and I were significantly older when he was born."

"How old is he?" asked Felicity.

"Nineteen," answered Mrs. Davidson. "A few months older than you, I imagine."

"I have a younger brother named William too," said Felicity. "But he is only twelve. He's the only boy out of four children."

"Are you the oldest?" asked Faith. Felicity nodded. "After me, there is my sister Nan, who is fifteen," she said. "Then William, then Polly, who is eight."

"Ah, yes," said Mrs. Davidson. "Ben has mentioned them a time or two as well."

"I can relate to William," said Faith. "Being the only girl in the family is no fun either."

"I imagine," said Felicity, collecting the silverware. "I-" Suddenly, Mrs. Davidson grabbed her left hand and looked at it. Felicity's heart started to pound. "My ring," murmured Mrs. Davidson. She looked up at Felicity seriously. "How did you get this?" Felicity swallowed. "Your son gave it to me," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. Mrs. Davidson dropped her hand. "And why?" she asked, though Felicity knew she could very well guess why. Felicity stood up straight. "Why don't you ask him?" she suggested. "I think tis his place to tell you."

"Tell us what?" asked Faith, though she could probably guess why as well. Mrs. Davidson looked at Felicity, then called, "Benjamin!" A second later, Ben appeared in the doorway. "Yes?" he asked. "Do you need something, Ma?"

"An explanation would be nice," said Mrs. Davidson, holding up Felicity's hand. His eyebrows raised, but he just calmly took Felicity's hand in his own. "What?" he asked. "The ring?" His mother nodded. "Well," he said calmly. "A while back, you gave it to me saying that it may come in handy one day, and it did."

"So you're saying…" said Mrs. Davidson. Her son nodded. "I asked Felicity for her hand in marriage," he said simply. "And she agreed."

Mrs. Davidson's eyes widened.

"Marry?" asked Faith with a small gasp.

"Ach, mein Gott," said Mrs. Davidson.

"Yes, marry," said Ben. It was then that Mr. Davidson and William, who was holding Alexandra, came in. "Are you still not done in here?" Mr. Davidson asked. "I'll help if you-" he then noticed his wife's face and frowned. "Katja, why are you looking at him like that?" he asked. Mrs. Davidson tore her eyes away from her son and looked up at her husband. "Like what?" she asked. "I'm not looking at him in any special way. Not any differently than I always do. Ever since… since the day he was born and…oh God! Oh, darling!" She threw her arms around her son tightly and kissed him. Mr. Davidson looked confused. "Are we missing something?" asked William. Mrs. Davidson let go of Ben, and Faith smiled. "Oh, Will," she said. "We're going to have a sister!" William looked at his parents and frowned. "Really?" he asked. "Aren't you two…a little old to be starting over?"

"No, dear," said Mrs. Davidson. "Faith meant a sister-in-law." William frowned again. "A sister-in-law?" he repeated. "But how-" then it dawned on him, and he looked at his brother, mouth set in a perfect "O". "You-you mean-" he stammered. Ben nodded. "Yes, I do," he said. "I-" he looked at Felicity. "I asked Felicity to marry me." Mr. Davidson's eyes widened. "You what now?" he asked.

"Holy…" muttered William. Ben looked at his parents. "Are-are you angry?" he asked. Mrs. Davidson smiled. "Of course we're not angry," she said. "Just…surprised, is all."

"In a good way, I hope?" said Felicity.

"Yes, my dear," laughed Mrs. Davidson, hugging her. "A very good way." Mr. Davidson grinned. "Married, eh?" he said. "I suppose that explains why you wanted to get things started so soon, as well as why you were in Williamsburg." Ben nodded. "Well," said Mrs. Davidson. "I suppose we have another wedding to start planning, don't we?" Ben looked at Felicity and smiled. "Yes," he said softly. "I guess we do." She smiled back. "Well," said Mr. Davidson, shaking his son's hand heartily. "I guess the only thing to say is congratulations. To the both of you." And then the room erupted in happy chatter. Congratulations were said to the young couple, who were both hugged and kissed multiple times. "Oh, my goodness!" sighed Faith as she hugged her brother. "Oh, Benjamin, married!"

"Is it really that hard to believe, Faith?" asked Ben with a laugh.

"Very," said Faith. "You always said you wouldn't!"

"What changed your mind?" asked William. Ben looked at Felicity again and gently took her hand. "Because I fell in love," was all he said. Felicity felt her cheeks grow pink with pleasure. Mr. Davidson smiled. "I thought you seemed happier this past month or so," he remarked.

"I've certainly never seen him so happy," William agreed.

"Me either," contributed Faith. Now Ben's cheeks were slightly pink. "I'm sure I have been," he mumbled.

"Not like this," said his mother. "Do you have a date set for the wedding?"

"Not yet," said Felicity. "Really, we have little to nothing planned." She looked at Ben. "I don't know; what do you say at this point? Late summer? Early autumn?"

"Mid to late June, maybe," he said casually. Felicity did a double-take. "That soon?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes," he said. "Everything is going well so far, so why not? Is that too soon for you?"

"Not at all," she replied, growing excited. "But…you mean to tell me that we could be married in a mere three months?"

"Is that a problem?" he asked. She smiled. "Oh, Benjamin!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. Then she remembered the fact that his parents and siblings were right there, and she stepped back, blushing slightly. Mrs. Davidson smiled at them lovingly. "Well, it doesn't matter if it will be in three months or three years," she said. "All that matters is that it will happen. Oh darling, congratulations, both of you!" And they were hugged and kissed all over again.

Later that night, Felicity lay in bed, feeling greatly relieved. Ben had finally told them the news (though in a bit of a roundabout way), which meant they could now really start planning. Even better, they had completely accepted her and were overjoyed, probably because it was such a happy surprise. She thought back to what Ben had said, about how they could be married in three months. Only three months. Why, she thought, only three months ago he had proposed marriage. Three more months, and she would be by his side forever more. Nothing but death would be able to separate them. "Three more months," she thought as she drifted off to sleep. "Just three more months…"